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The Spectacularly Spicy Weta Of Aoteroa
What is a Weta?
Weta are one of the native insects to New Zealand/Aoteroa. The Weta is as old
as the dinosaur age and it is the only one that survived.
as the dinosaur age and it is the only one that survived.
Weta’s physical features
Weta are invertebrates and they have an exoskeleton. An invertebrate is an
animal that has its skeleton on the outside which is called an exoskeleton. They
don’t have a spine. Weta look similar to crickets. They have six legs. They
have two antennae. They have ears just below the front joint of their knees.
animal that has its skeleton on the outside which is called an exoskeleton. They
don’t have a spine. Weta look similar to crickets. They have six legs. They
have two antennae. They have ears just below the front joint of their knees.
Weta’s Habitat and Location
Some tusked weta live on/in the ground and some weta live inside trees. Ground
weta live in burrows in the ground. Cave weta live in sea coast caves and hollow tree
trunks while giant weta live in island sanctuary. These are the main places weta live.
weta live in burrows in the ground. Cave weta live in sea coast caves and hollow tree
trunks while giant weta live in island sanctuary. These are the main places weta live.
Feeding Behaviour
Weta like to eat carrots. Weta also like to eat fruit. Most weta are predators or are
omnivores preying on other insects and eating some plants.
omnivores preying on other insects and eating some plants.
The tree weta and the giant weta mostly eat lichens, leaves, flowers, seed-heads
and fruit. Weta feed and eat at night.
and fruit. Weta feed and eat at night.
Social Behaviour
They like to live in groups, and make their homes in the hollow parts of trees.
Tree wētā communicate by scraping their hind legs against the side of their
body, making a chirping sound. Male weta are also aggressive.
Tree wētā communicate by scraping their hind legs against the side of their
body, making a chirping sound. Male weta are also aggressive.
Threats
Weta have evolved with predators such as birds, reptiles, and bats. The
introduction of rats, mustelids,( mustelids are part of the weasel family) cats
and hedgehogs have increased the amount of predation. Humans have been
decreasing their habitats. If we want Weta to live more we need to make more
habitats.
introduction of rats, mustelids,( mustelids are part of the weasel family) cats
and hedgehogs have increased the amount of predation. Humans have been
decreasing their habitats. If we want Weta to live more we need to make more
habitats.
Here is an image
Ending Weta are cold blooded insects. There are different types of Weta. Weta are
endangered. So be careful not to KILL Weta when you’re outside or in the bush.
endangered. So be careful not to KILL Weta when you’re outside or in the bush.
Te reo maori
Weta
Insect - pepeke
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